TwoCan’s Associates

Our associates come from a variety of backgrounds and work with us on projects where we feel their expertise brings added value.

Caroline Doherty is a facilitator and learning and development consultant. She has extensive experience of working in the NHS, with Third Sector health and social care organisations and the academic sector. She has current specialist knowledge and expertise in Patient and Public Involvement in the NHS, including many years’ experience of working with people affected by cancer to improve cancer care services and cancer research. As a coach, Caroline specialises in working with people who are making a significant career or life stage transition. She also provides supervision to a range of people – including coaches, independent consultants and others working directly with health and social care clients.

Helen Hayes has extensive experience of public involvement in research. She has worked at INVOLVE for 12 years, most recently as Knowledge and Communication manager where she led the development of the briefing notes for researchers and website redesign. She now works on specific projects such as the implementation of plain English summaries in NIHR funded research, a series of webinars with the NIHR School for Social Care Research and the development of an Equality and Diversity policy. Helen has experience of facilitating groups and working with health professionals, researchers, research commissioners and members of the public. She has in depth knowledge of designing, developing and editing resources and publications and has worked alongside others to develop an evidence base for public involvement in research.

Carolyn Morris was first diagnosed with cancer in 1999 and joined her local patient partnership group and a national patient led advocacy group. She has experience of user involvement at grass roots and national levels, and as a co–researcher on projects investigating the process and impact of user involvement. Carolyn was previously a careers psychologist and counsellor, working with disabled people on Clydeside and students and academics in Sussex, where she was Director of the Career Development Unit until early retirement.

Richard Stephens is a survivor of two cancers and a heart emergency. As a patient, he has participated in five clinical trials and six research studies, and has been a member of trial management and steering groups. He is Chair of the National Cancer Research Institute’s Consumer Liaison Group and the NIHR’s Cancer Network Patient and Public Involvement Steering Group and sits on several other national and regional committees. Richard is a co-author of 2012’s Action On Access, a consumer-led report recommending organisational and cultural changes to encourage and support more patients to participate in research. He helped develop the English National Cancer Patient Experience Survey to include questions about research awareness and participation, and was one of the patient leaders supporting the NIHR’s OK To Ask campaign. He is leading a novel partnership with Astra Zeneca to set up an independent Patient Panel, to bring patients and the company’s researchers together to discuss trial design and recruitment methods.

Derek Stewart OBE, was treated successfully for cancer of the larynx in 1995. As former Chair of the National Cancer Research Institute Consumer Liaison Group, Derek assisted with the increase in patient participation in the establishment and work of the National Cancer Research Institute. Derek is a Trustee for onCore UK, the national cancer tissue resource, Chair of the Confederation of Cancer Biobanks and a member of the Cancer Reform Strategy Advisory Board. From 2001 until 2006 Derek was Chair of Gedling Primary Care Trust in Nottinghamshire. In 2005 he took up the role as Chair of Nottingham City Crime and Drugs Partnership. Derek continues to work as a freelance consultant providing training on patient and public involvement across charity and public sectors. This contribution to health services in particular cancer led to being awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2006. Derek is Associate Director for patient and public involvement for the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Networks Coordinating Centre and is Chair of the Throat Cancer Foundation.